Dolomites Tour | Guided Small Group Tour | 4 Days

DAY 1                    MILAN – VERONA – VAL DI CADORE – PIEVE DI CADORE – CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

Departure at 08.30 am from Starhotels Anderson (Piazza Luigi di Savoia, 20, 20124 Milano). Departure is also possible directly from Verona at Hotel Mastino (Corso Porta Nuova, 16, 37122 Verona), joining the group at 10.30. Departure to Verona, having a short break to discover this beautiful city. A walk through its narrow streets allows us to get in touch with its varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles, its magnificent Renaissance palaces as well as the impressive fortifications which protect it. A suggestive blend of art and history which continuously fascinates the onlooker. We will visit Piazza Bra with the Arena, a Roman amphitheatre, Via Mazzini, Piazza delle Erbe e dei Signori with the monument to Dante Alighieri and Juliet’s Balcony. Lunch on your own. Next, departure to Cortina d’Ampezzo. Departure is also possible in front of the train station of Venice Mestre at 3pm. The journey will be around Val Cadore among sinuous mountains and little villages that show the history of the territory, the tradition of the craftsmanship and offer good food and a lot of local museums. Visit on the way to Cortina of the centre of Pieve di Cadore, capital of the glasses industry and birthplace of the great painter Tiziano Vecellio. Arrival to Cortina d’Ampezzo, probably the most renowned one because of its historical importance in Italian summer and winter holidays since the 1950’s, is in the middle of the large valley of Boite. Cortina is not only a tourism resort but also the centre of traditional works, as for example, wood manufacturing. Overnight in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

DAY 2                    CORTINA – LAKE MISURINA/TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO – LAKE DOBBIACO  – PUSTERIA AND BADIA VALLEYS – FALZAREGO PASS – CORTINA

Breakfast at the hotel. Outing to Lake Misurina (situated in a perfect position among woods and Dolomites tops, Three peaks of Lavaredo the most important ones, probably one of the best places for alpinism experts). Then to Lake Dobbiaco, with its emerald water, followed by a visit of Val Pusteria and Val Badia, probably the most typical valleys of the region, having a stop in a village to have lunch at your own. After that, we will cross Falzarego Pass coming back to Cortina, in order to have free time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Cortina. (B)

DAY 3                    CORTINA – PASSO FEDAIA – MARMOLADA – CANAZEI – LAKE CAREZZA – MERANO – BOLZANO  

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be invited to taste the flavourful speck, a kind of smoked ham, typical of the Dolomites valleys. Departure to Canazei through Fedaia Pass; arrival to the bottom of the Glacier of Marmolada, the highest glacier of the eastern Alps. Visit of Canazei, an important place for tourism in all seasons, due to the wonderful view given by this part of Dolomites that receives thousands of tourists every month. Through Passo Costalunga, we arrive at Lake Carezza. Stop to have a look at this wonderful lake. Then, departure to Merano, the second biggest city of the province after Bolzano. Famous worldwide for its Christmas market, Merano is also a charming and amazing cultural and historical centre. Visit of the old town and lunch on your own. Second half of the day is dedicated to Bolzano. Important commercial centre in the Middle Age, it has increased its industry productions during the World War. Tourism still represents the first resource of the local economy. Visit of Duomo: the Cathedral, with a gothic style, is considered as the symbol of the town; finally, we’ll visit the main central streets, as Via dei Portici, core of the Medieval town. Rest of the evening is free for your personal visits. Overnight in Bolzano. (B)

DAY 4                    BOLZANO – ROUTE OF THE WINE – TRENTO – MILANO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Trento, capital of the region through the so called Weinstrasse, the route of the wine, where small villages like Caldaro or Trameno offer relaxing and amazing views. Short stop for visiting the area. Arrival to Trento. The city is dominated by the castle, known as del Buon Consiglio, symbol of the House of Habsburg which dominated the district for many centuries. Santa Maria Maggiore, built in the XVI century and one of the first work of Renaissance and Gothic age; Palace Geremia, building that represents the XVI century and Piazza Duomo with the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Vigilius. Lunch at your own. Departure to come back to Milan. End of the services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION:

SUPERIOR CATEGORY:

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Hotel Meuble Villa Neve – Cortina, or similar

BOLZANO: Parkhotel Laurin, member of WorldHotels Elite (Classic Room), or similar

SUPERIOR PLUS CATEGORY:

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Hotel Ambra Cortina D’Ampezzo (Classic Room), or similar

BOLZANO: Parkhotel Laurin, member of WorldHotels Elite (Superior Room), or similar

Includes:

–          3 nights’ accommodation as above according to the hotel option choice

–          Breakfast at the hotel

–          Bus at disposal for the mentioned itinerary

–          Bilingual (English and Spanish) speaking escort guide/driver up to 8 people (driver and guide with more than 8)

–          Red and green Dolomites apples tasting

–          Speck (a typical Dolomites smoked ham) tasting

–          Free Wi-Fi on board

–

Excludes:

–          Meals (except breakfast at the hotel)

–          Beverages

–          Entrances

–          Porterage

–          City taxes

–          Tickets

–          Tips and extras in general

–          Anything not listed under ‘includes’

Things to Note:

–          A minimum of 2 participants are required for tour to operate.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.

–          Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          Entrance fees to sights are not included and are to be paid locally

–          A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.

–          Itinerary may be modified at anytime.